Overview

• France faces Azerbaijan at the Parc des Princes on Friday in the third matchday of 2026 World Cup qualifying.
• Didier Deschamps warned against complacency, urging a fast start against a likely low block after September wins over Ukraine and Iceland.
• Kylian Mbappé trained on the eve of the game despite ankle sensitivity and could be available if his session is satisfactory, according to Deschamps.
• Azerbaijan arrives in crisis after Fernando Santos was dismissed on September 8 following a 5-0 loss to Iceland, with a 12-match winless run halted only by a 1-1 draw with Ukraine and a slide to 124th in the FIFA ranking.
• French agencies have linked recent disinformation campaigns to actors tied to Azerbaijan, and Baku’s football investments—VAR rollout, a new academy, and hosting FIFA Series—underscore the match’s symbolic weight beyond sport.